International Economic Forum kicks off in St. Petersburg

Baku, May 22 (AzerTAc). The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), which is the main platform for discussions on the Russian economy, has today started. The three-day forum is themed “Sustaining Confidence in a World Undergoing Transformation”. The same topic was chosen for the plenary meeting with participation of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin scheduled for May 23. The first day will be devoted to the business program. Some 6,500 people from 72 countries, including 2,500 business representatives will take part in SPIEF 2014. The participation of 140 heads of foreign companies and 469 Russian business executives is expected. The major part of top managers of the largest foreign corporations will come from Europe, including Philips CEO Frans van Houten, Head of Total Christophe de Margerie, CEO for Telenor Jon Baksaas, as well as Jorgen Buhl Rasmussen, President for Carlsberg, who manages the Baltika brewing company. Azerbaijan will be represented by representatives of AzerTAc and Trend news agencies.